Germany and France are calling for a quick solution to the Greek crisis

Germany is aiming for a quick resolution to the impasse over a new aid package for Greece and will ensure that any private sector involvement is decided in coordination with the ECB, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said. "If you find a solution, the faster the better," Merkel said at a joint news conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. According to the German chancellor, the voluntary participation of the private sector on the basis of the Vienna initiative is a good basis for a new agreement for Greece. The French president then reiterated that France and Germany have a common position on Greece and the euro. Sarkozy has said he is in agreement with a plan for Greece, explaining that the agreement must be reached by July at the latest. According to the French president, any proven industry involvement should be on a voluntary basis. Separately, the president of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso asked the Greek authorities to support the reform process, explaining that both Athens and the European Union must work to guarantee financial stability. “I invite all political forces to do everything possible to guarantee the support for the economic reforms that Greece needs. These are reforms that benefit the citizens and the country,” he said. Finally, Barroso declared that he expects the Eurogroup on Sunday to resolve the last points of conflict between the parties in order to reach a "responsible agreement" on the financial assistance to be allocated to Athens.